Tips to Maintain a Functional and Efficient Laptop

Life today is all about being on the move, and still meeting all the deadlines, professional as well as personal ones. Your laptop is your constant companion. It makes the task of managing data so much more organized and easier for you. You can use it for any reason, from any place, and at any time.
You probably spend more time with your laptop than you do with your family. So it makes sense to look after it too. After all, even your laptop has its needs and wants in order to function efficiently.

Mentioned ahead are some pointers on how you can look after your laptop to ensure that it stays on top of its game.

Beat the Dust

Well-maintained things tend to last longer. Just like you clean your other electronic gadgets at home, you need to clean your laptop too. And I don't mean just on the outside. Of course, making its exterior look squeaky clean will only keep it looking new, but it also needs to be cleaned up from the inside every once in a while.
Thoroughly cleaning your laptop is crucial if you want it to last long. And it's very simple to do. Take a backup of all your data, images, files and folders on a USB drive or an external hard drive. Delete files that you don't need, organize your desktop icons and uninstall dormant programs. Empty your recycle bin frequently. Format your laptop's hard disk if it has been giving you trouble lately. Don't worry about lost data since you've already taken a backup.
Such practices will not only extend your laptop's life, but also free up space, which will make it run faster.

Invest In an Effective Antivirus

This is a very important step towards protecting your laptop from virus, Trojans, malware, spyware, etc. Whether you install software or download it online, there is always a risk of the program containing a virus. If it affects your laptop, there is no limit to the harm it can cause to your machine and to your personal data.
It makes sense to have one genuine antivirus programs installed in your computer to ensure that it stays immune to cyber-attacks. Make sure that you upgrade your antivirus online on a regular basis to get the latest virus definitions as they are updated very frequently.

Less Is More

Avoid installing too many programs on your laptop, especially if they're pirated. Doing so will only slow down its processor and your machine will take longer to reboot and shut down. Laptop processors are, typically, a lot more fragile compared to PC processors.
Installing too much software can overload the system and result in a corrupted operating system. In case you have installed programs which have become redundant or are no longer useful, make it a point to uninstall them systematically (via the control panel).
You also need to make sure that you do not run too many programs on your laptop simultaneously as that will slow down the system a great deal. If your laptop is new and yet you find the battery draining quickly, this could be one of the reasons for it. Check the task manager for the programs that are currently running and stop unnecessary processes.
Furthermore, configure your system so that these processes don't start automatically when you restart your laptop.

Keep It Cool

Even machines get tired, and when that happens they heat up. If you've used laptops, you would know that they generate a surprisingly high amount of heat in a short span of time. Although hard drives in laptops tend to be more tolerant of the heat compared to PCs, they are still very susceptible to damage caused by high temperatures.
Get hold of software that tracks the temperature and the overall health of your machine and displays it digitally on your desktop. If it displays a high temperature, make sure that there is ample flow and circulation of air around it to cool it down. Ensure that the exhaust fan's inlets aren't blocked with dust or other foreign particles.
You can clean the fan and the inlets with compressed air from time to time. Additionally, you can also get a cooling pad, which is a laptop accessory that helps reduce operating temperature For best results keep your laptop away from direct sunlight, heaters, and radiators.

Delete Temporary Internet Files and Cookies

If your browsing speed is slow, excessive temporary internet files saved in your laptop could be the reason behind it. These files should, therefore, be cleared out frequently as a practice.
Apart from that, you must also delete the cookies that certain websites install on your machine without your knowledge. These cookies enable the websites to track some of your online activities, and hence it is best to get rid of them.

Maintain the Battery Life

When on the go, the longevity of your laptop's battery life is crucial to the functioning of your laptop as it is nearly impossible to find power outlets to charge it up at busy airports, railway stations, or coffee shops. It is, therefore, important that you take the necessary steps to maintain the battery life.
Extreme temperatures are bad for your laptop battery. You need to protect it from exposure to very hot and cold temperatures as that can either reduce the battery life to half, or kill your battery altogether.
To maximize the battery life, make it a point to put your laptop in the "hibernate" or 'sleep' mode when it is not in use. Other factors that help in reducing battery consumption are reducing the brightness of the screen, turning off background programs, turning of the WiFi feature when not in use, lowering the system's volume, etc. Also, avoid overcharging the laptop.

Quit Playing Games

Your laptop may be many things for you, but the one thing that it most certainly is not is a PlayStation. Loading up your laptop with heavy games requiring super-fast processors and graphic cards is a definite no-no. It is a sure shot recipe for disaster as far as your processor performance and keyboard health are concerned.
Attaching fancy USB consoles and other external accessories to your laptop can also adversely affect its performance as well as drain the battery.

Shut It Down Properly

Many a time, people do not shut their machine in the manner it is supposed to be powered off. Always make sure you practice proper shut down habits by first closing all the open programs and then turning the system off. Before you close your laptop, wait for the message indicating that it has indeed been turned off. Shutting your laptop abruptly can result in the crashing of your hard disk and/or motherboard.
If you've kept your laptop in a cold environment for long, let it first warm up to room temperature before you switch it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay.

Conclusion

A functional and efficient laptop will enable you to focus on your work better. It will increase your productivity and you will be able to finish your tasks in no time. The best part is that all of the above mentioned steps are easy to carry out. Hence, it is convenient for everyone to be able to take the basic steps required to maintain their laptop without hassles.